Weighing-machine.



PATENTED JAN. 13, 1903.

G A MOORE WEIGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 8, 1902. RENEWED DBO. 20, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

.KO MODEL.

George-ya. more;

Wilhessas,

No. 718,500. PATENTED JAN. 13, 1903.

' G. A; MOORE.

WEIGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 8, 1902. RENEWED DBO. 20, 1902.

no 1011111.. 2 sums-$112151: 2.

IIIIIIIIIII/IIIIII IIIlII/l IIIIIIIIIIIII/IIIIIIIIIIII Invnlr,

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE A. MOORE, OF BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE MOORE TALKING SCALE COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A

CORPORATION OF MAINE.

WElGHlNG-MACHINE.

'SPECIFECATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 718,500, dated January 13, 1903. Application filed March 8, 1902. Renewed December 20,1902. Serial No. 136,073. (No model.)

T0 to whom it Huey concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. MOORE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brookline, in the county of Norfolk, State of Massachusettsmave invented certain newand useful Improvementsin Weighing-Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to that class of weighing-machines in which the introduction of a designated coin renders the machine operative and serves to automatically indicate the weight of the individual upon the plat form thereof.

The object of my invention is the construction of a machine of this class in which the weight of the person shall be audibly spoken instead of visually designated, as in the usual manner. In accomplishing this I employ a phonographic record of words descriptive of weights and adapt the sounder and its stylus to be brought by the Weight of the person standing upon the platform into engagement with the proper record-groove and then cause the record to revolve and announce the weight. In doing this I prefer to use a disk record having a sufficient number of different weights phonographically contained in annular recordgrooves with a single weight expression to a circle, forming the disk with a deep channel cutting radially through the recordgrooves, and thereby giving free passage to the sounder-stylus while being brought into position for any desired groove.

Referring to the drawings forming part of the specification, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a record-disk constructed to be revolved in conjunction with a phonographic sounder,the mechanism being shown whereby the latter is properly positioned and locked therein while the record is turning. Fig. 2 is a detail View of the detent for restricting the record-disk to a single rotation. Fig. 3 is a face View of a part of the disk-carrier plate, illustrating the detent-engaging notch thereof. Fig. tis a sectional plan View of sounder and disk. Fig. 5 is a diagram of a weighingmachine, and Fig. 6 of a measuring-machine.

In said drawings the reference-numeral 1 designates the record-disk, which is fixed upon the carrier-plate 5 and designed to be rotated at a uniform speed by any Well-known means, but'especially by the motor mechanism disclosed in my companion application Serial No. 76,850. This disk is formed with concentric record grooves 2 and a radial channel 3, said channel being normally located in a vertical position below the disks center by the engagement of the notch 7 with the detent 8. Upon the depression of said detent the disk is set in motion by its motor mechanism and continues until an entire revolution has been completed and said notch is again brought into contact with said detent.

The sounder-box 10 is carried upon the arm 14, projecting rigidly from the vertical rod 12, the latter being slidablein suitable openings in the plates 26 27, held by the block 25. This rod is resiliently supported by a spiral spring 16, the upward movement given to said rod by said spring being limited by the set-screw 18, tapped through the bent end 17 of said rod and abutting against the under side of the block 25. The tension of said spring is adjusted by the screw 15, intermediate be tween the same and the said rod.

The bar 21 is designed to be connected with the platform of the weighing-machine and to be vertically moved thereby and in exact proportion to the weights of the various people who may stand on said platform. The upper end of said bar is pivoted to the bar extension 20, and the latter is formed with a bend 22, reaching the rod 12, the extremity of said bend being notched at 23 to engage the neck 13 of said rod. A leaf-spring 24 presses said notch into engagement with said neck, so that the descent of said bar extension similarly moves said rod and the sounder carried thereby. Hence a person standing upon the platform of the machine automatically causes the sounder 10 to descend to a point relative to the slot or channel 3 which will bring the sounder-stylus into the line of the record-groove whose weight expression is that of said person, the weight expressions being made proportional to the distances thereof from the disk center. The detent 8 being new depressed, the disk is released and Revoluble in the upper part of the block I is the shaft 30, upon one end of which is fiXedthedetentS. Atension-spring9(shown in Fig. 2) tends to drawsaid detent out of engagement with the notch 7; but such engagement is normally maintained by the arm 34, rigidly connected with said shaft, and the leaf-spring 35, Whose shoulder 36 holds the extremity of said arm. Vhenever said leafspring 35 is bent downward, as by the impact of a coin descending through the chute 37, said spring 9 is permitted to remove the detent 8 from the notch 7 and the record-disk to revolve.

As the disk nears the end of a rotation the scoop 50, fixed to the carrier-plate 5, comes beneath the pin 51, projecting from the detent,'and forces the latter upward until it enters the notch 7, and so brings the carrier 5 to rest. The revolving mechanism of the carrier is so adjusted that the momentum of the carrier-plate and disk is very nearlyovercome by this action of the scoop 50 in raising the detent in opposition to the spring 9 and also in causing the end of the arm 34 to engage the shoulder 36. This last-named action secures the detent in the notch 7, and so terminates further motion of the record-disk for the time being.

For locking the rod 12 againstdisplacement during the motion of the record-disk I provide the lever 40 with a roughened or knurled surface, as at 43, which is strongly pressed against said rod by a spring 44, said lever be ing pivotally supported by the block 42, secured to the framework. The end of this lever opposite to the knurled section 43 is bent upward to constitute a tail 41, and the shaft 30 is provided with an arm 32,bent to come behind said tail, the said parts being so arranged that when the arm 34 is disengaged from the shoulder 36 and the detent 8 drops from the notch 7 the arm 32 leaves the tail 41, and so permits the knurled end 43 of the lever 40 to be pressed against the surface of the rod 12 and the latter to be held stationary, while so long as said arm 34 is held by the shoulder 36 said lever is out of contact with said rod and the latter free to move. Projecting from said shaft 30 is a finger 31, which when the arm 34 is released from the shoulder 36 and the shaft 30 consequently partially turned comes against the extension-bar 20 and presses its upper end out of engagement with the neck 13. Hence whenever the spring-catch 35 is depressed to release the arm from the shoulder 36 the different but almost simultaneous functions are performed of, first, causing the rod 12 to be locked in position by the knurled lever end 43; second, the release of the rod 12 from the extension-bar 20, and, finally, the release of the carrier-plate from the detent. Con versely,u pon the completion of the recorddisks turn the action of the scoop 50 upon the detent-pin 51 in raising the detent to its detaining position serves to return the arm 34 to the shoulder 36, release the rod 12 from the lever 40, and permit the extension-bar 20 to again press against the rod 12. The rod 12 now returns to its uppermost position, and then as the person on the machine-platform steps off therefrom the bar 21 and extensionbar 20 rise to their topmost position, at which points the notched end 23 of the extensionbar moves into engagement with the neck 13, and the machine is again ready for use.

Although I have spoken of the lever 40 alone as being knurled, I usually knurl or roughen the surface of the rod 12, against which said lever is pressed, in order to better hold said rod from movement when the machine is in operation.

While my invention is particularly designed for use in announcing the Weights of people standing upon the platform of a weighing-machine, the same general construction can almost equally as well be used for other purposes. For instance, by substituting a record having a series of fortunes thereon instead of the weights described the person standing upon the same platform would have his fortune shouted out to him.

In the side elevation'of a conventionalized weighing-machine shown in Fig. 5, 21 indicates the platform upon which the person stands while being weighed, the same being constructed to communicate its depression to the bar 21 and the latter being provided wit-h the customary scale-springs 21. In Fig. 6 is shown an arm 21, the outer end of which is designed to be raised or lowered to just touch the top of a persons head, While its inner end is connected with the bar extension 20, and thereby position the sounder at the proper level with respect to the record as to shout out the height of the individual beneath the arm 21. In botlrsaid diagrams the recordshaft is represented as rotated by a weighted cord or chain 21, although I do not restrict myself to any particular means for operating the record.

What I claim as my invention, and for which I desire Letters Patent, is as follows, to wit:

1. The combination with a revoluble record normally held, inactive, of a phonographic sounder reciprocative in a line transverse to the record-grooves adjacent thereto, and a locking device holding said sounder immovable during the rotation of the record, substantially as described.

ITO

2. The combination with a revoluble record having means constructed to bring it to rest at the termination of each complete rotation, of a phonographic sounder reciprocative in a line transverse to the adjacent record-grooves of said record, and a locking device holding the sounder immovable during the rotation of the record but releasing the sounder when the record is brought to rest, substantially as described.

3. Thecombination with a revoluble record normally held inactive, of aphonographic sounder reciprocative in a line transverse to the record-grooves adjacent thereto, a member movable in a direction parallel with the motion of said sounder and constructed to engage the same and move it therewith, and means simultaneously locking said sounder from further motion and releasing it from said member, substantially as described.

4:. The combination with a revoluble record normally held inactive, of a phonographic sounder reciprocative in a line transverse to the record-grooves adjacent thereto, a member movable in a direction parallel with the motion of said sounder and constructed to engage the same and move it therewith, and means simultaneously locking said sounder from further motion, releasing it from said member, and releasing the record from what normallyholdsitinactive,substantially as described.

5. The combination with a revoluble record, of a rod longitudinally movable near the face of said record, a sounder carried by said rod, a longitudinally-movable bar parallel with said rod and constructed to temporarily engage the same and move it therewith, and means for simultaneously disengaging said rod from said bar and setting the record in motion, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a revoluble recorddisk temporarily locked from motion, a sounder movable in a line parallel with the face of said disk, a longitudinally-movable bar parallel with the direction of motion of said sounder and constructed to engage the same and move it therewith, and means for simultaneously releasing the sounder from said bar and the disk from its locking device, substantially as described.

7. In a weighing-machine, the combination with a phonographio record provided with means for its operation but normally held inactive, of a sounder movable transverse to the record-grooves adjacent thereto, connections between said sounder and the platform of the weighing-machine whereby the depression of the latter correspondingly moves the former, and a locking device securing the sounder at any point to which it is moved, substantially as described.

8. In a weighing-machine, the combination with a phonographic record provided with means for its operation but normally held inactive, of a sounder movable transverse to the record-grooves adjacent thereto, connections between said sounder and the platform of' the weighing machine whereby the depressions of the latter correspondingly move the former, a locking device securing the sounder at any point to which it is moved, and means operating simultaneously with such locking to disconnect said sounder from the platform, substantially as described.

9. The combination with a record-disk, of a sounder coacting with the same, a longitudinally-movable rod carrying said sounder, a tension-spring drawing said rod in one direction,and a frictional locking device constructed to contact with said rod after it has been moved to a predetermined .point and thereby hold it positioned, substantially as described.

10. The combination with the record-disk, of a sounder coacting with the same, a longitudinally-movable rod carrying said sounder, means drawing said rod in one direction, a pivoted lever having a roughened surface normally pressed against a side of said rod, a longitudinally-movable bar constructed to normally engage said rod, and means holding said lever out of contact with said rod while said engagement lasts, substantially as described.

11. The combination with a record, of a sounder coacting therewith, alongitudinallymovable rod carrying said sounder, a longitudinally-movable bar constructed to normally engage said rod, a locking device for said rod, and a rocking shaft constructed to release said rod from said locking device when it is turned in one direction, and to disengage said bar from said rod when it is turned in the opposite direction, substantially as described.

12. The combination with the record, of a sounder coacting therewith, a longitudinallymovable rod carrying said sounder, a longitudinally-movable bar constructed to normally engage said rod, a pivoted lever having a roughened face normally pressed against said rod, a rock-shaft having an arm contacting with the end of said lever opposite to its roughened end, and another arm or finger contacting with said bar, and a locking device normally holding said shaft to relieve said rod from its locking-lever and to permit said bar to engagesaid rod, substantially as described.

13. The combination with a record-disk and a revoluble carrier-plate therefor having a notch in its periphery, of a detent constructed to engage said notch but resiliently held away therefrom, and means connected with said carrier for engaging said detent and forcing it into said notch, substantially as described.

14. The combination with the record-disk and a revoluble carrier-plate therefor having the notch in its periphery, of a detent constructed to engage said notch, a tension-spring resiliently holding said detent away from said notch, a latch for retaining said detent in said notch, and means connected With said carrier for engaging said detent and forcing it into said notch, substantially as described.

15. The combination with a record-disl and a revoluble carrier-plate therefor having the notch in its periphery, of a pivoted detent constructed to engage said notch, a tensionspring resiliently holding said detent away from said notch, and the scoop fixed to said carrier and constructed to come beneath the end of the detent as the carrier revolves and force such detent up into said notch, substantially as described.

16. The combination With the revoluble circular plate having the notch in its periphery, the rock-shaft having the detent constructed to enter said notch, a tension-spring drawing the detent away from the edge of said plate, an arm rigidly projecting from said shaft, a spring-latch for engaging said arm, and a scoop carried by said plate for forcing said detent up into said notch and bringing said arm into the control of said latch, substantially as described.

17. The combination with the record-disk and the carrier-plate therefor having 1 he n ot ch in its periphery and the scoop in said notch, of the sounder enacting With said record-disk, the longitudinally-movable rod carrying said sounder, a spring supporting said rod, the longitudinally-movable bar constructed to engage said rod, the rock-shaft located between said bar and rod, the detent fixed on said shaft and reaching into the path of said scoop and notch, means resiliently holding said detent just out of touch of the periphery of said plate, a linger projecting from said shaft into contact With said bar, the pivoted lever having a roughened surface contacting With said rod, the arm projecting from said shaft into touch with the tail of said lever, a spring latch or catch fixed at one end, and an arm projecting from said shaft into engagement with said latch, substantially as described.

18. The combination with the record and the sounder, of the longitudinally-movable rod carrying said sounder, the tension-spring supporting said red, the fixed block, the plate secured to the top thereof and having the opening for said rod and the notch not far therefrom, the bar constructed to engage said rod and longitudinally movable in said notch, and the leaf-spring fixed at one end to said block and resiliently pressing said bar into its engagement With said rod, substantially as described.

19. The con'ibination With the record and the sounder, of the longitudinally-movable rod carrying said sounder and formed With the narrow neck near its upper end, and the longitudinally-movable parallel bar having the bent and notched upper end constructed to engage the neck of said rod, substantially as described.

20. The combination with the revoluble record-disk and the sounder, of the longitudinally-movable rod carrying said sounder, the eXtension-springsu pporting said rod,t he fixed block having suitable guides for said. rod, andthelongitudiually-movablebarconstructed to engage said rod; the lower end of said rod being bent in beneath said block and provided With an adjusting-screw, substantially as described.

21. In a Weighing-machine, the combina tion with the platform thereof, of a revoluble record and a sounder, one movable with re spect to the other by the depression of said platform, and means for locking the said movableelementagainst movement from the platform during the rotation of the record, substantially as described.

22. In a Weighing-machine, the combination with the platform thereof, of a revoluble record and a sounder, one movable with respect to the other by the depression of said platform, and means for locking the said movable elementagainst movement from the plat form during the rotation of the record and at the same time temporarily disconnecting said elements from said platform, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing invention I have hereunto set my hand this 28th day of February, 1902.

GEORGE A. MOORE.

"Witnesses:

A. B. UPHAM, CHAS. A. COUCH. 

